Two jailed for cultivating marijuana

A 26 –year- old peasant farmer of Mwense district district has been sentenced to 24 months imprisonment with hard labour for unlawful cultivation of psychotropic substance.

The offence is contrary to section 9 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia.

ZANIS reports that the particulars of the offence were that Felix Chungu of Lubebe village in Katuta Kapemba’s Chiefdom on March 5, 2015 cultivated 328 kilogrammes of marijuana a herbal product of cannabis without lawful authority.

In mitigation, Chungu pleaded for lenience as he was taking care of
his aged mother and brother who was involved in an accident.

Chungu further said he had school going children whom he was
sponsoring and was also looking after his pregnant wife.

Principle Resident Magistrate Yvonne Nalomba sentenced Chungu, who pleaded guilty to the charge, to 24 months imprisonment withhard labour effective the date of arrest in order to deter others from committing a similar offence.

And Magistrate Nalomba also sentenced a 23- year – old man of MulunduChiefdom of Mwense district to two months imprisonment with hardlabour for trafficking in psychotropic substance.

Facts before the courts were that Winford Mambwe of Kabangwe villageon May 9, 2015 trafficked in 5.62 grammes of marijuana contrary to thelaws of Zambia.

The convict requested for lenience as he was a first offender andthat he had been accepted to pursue a coursed in nursing.

However, Magistrate Nalomba sentenced Mambwe to two months imprisonment with hard labour effective thedate of arrest as a deterrent measure.